MARIAN UNIVERSITY
Indianapolis
LEARN
®
HERE
Communication
Create. Critique. Connect.
If you like to critique messages in the media, if you want
to “wow” your audiences when you speak and write, if you
like to analyze diverse perspectives on religion, science,
and politics, and if you want to get really creative with
messages that mean business, the Bachelor of Arts in
Communication at Marian University might be right for you.
Grounded in the study of rhetoric and the art of persuasion, Marian University
students learn skills for communicating in ways that are compelling
and creative.
As a communication major, you will receive practical training in effective
speaking and writing. You’ll craft multimedia messages that make an impact
in our digital culture. You will study the many ways that words, symbols,
and images shape our view of the world. You’ll also critique texts that range
from television advertisements and political speeches to films, social media
interactions, and more.
At Marian University, you will explore challenging, contemporary communication
issues like:
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How does social media impact our daily lives?
What do video games communicate about race and gender?
How do myths and metaphors shape our public discourse?
Why do some print, broadcast, and digital advertising campaigns succeed
while others fail?
Discover a program built on high-impact
teaching and learning.
No tests. You will write papers, give presentations, and complete
team projects, but we’ll never ask you to regurgitate what you’ve read
and memorized from a textbook.
No textbooks. You’ll read and review online, web-based content
that is hand-selected by our faculty from primary sources, academic
journals, and other sources.
“I’ve had endless opportunities to grow and succeed,
both in and out of the classroom, at Marian University.
These opportunities—like internships, study-abroad
courses, and getting involved on campus and in the
community—have taught me so much about myself. I’m
confident that after graduation I’ll be prepared for a
career that will utilize my skills, passions, and values.”
Gabrielle Fales | CLASS OF 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree with a concentration in
writing and minors in Spanish and pastoral leadership.
San Damiano Scholar, Writing Center tutor and student leader, and
member of the Campus Activities Board executive committee.
Current member of intramural volleyball team. Previous member of the
STARR community service group and the Knight Fusion Singers.
No lectures. OK, our faculty talk, but never for a whole hour. You’ll
experience lively, active dialogue and seminar-style classes.
As a student in our program, you will take courses like:
COM 190New Media and Digital Culture
COM 221The Art of Dialogue
COM 331Advanced Public Speaking
COM 333Conflict Management
COM 352Identity and Popular Culture
34
concentrations
34
minors
HERE
majors
SUCCEED
28
14:1
student-to-faculty ratio
147 full-time professors
Speech Team
The award-winning Marian University speech team competes against students
from schools across the country, traveling to a dozen tournaments each year.
You can compete in a variety of events ranging from dramatic interpretation and
slam poetry to impromptu speaking and public-forum debate. Ask us about
scholarships available for speech team members.
Speaking Center, Writing Center, and student newspaper
Gain valuable experience by serving as a consultant in our Speaking Center,
coaching students from across the university in the art of public speaking. You
can also apply to serve as a tutor in our Writing Center, where you’ll work with
students from all majors to help them develop strategies to clarify and develop
written content for research papers and other coursework. If you have a nose
for news, consider joining the staff of our student paper, which is managed by a
small group of motivated students from all majors, including communication.
Build a personal plan of study for your career.
You can easily tailor the communication major for a personalized academic experience. Depending on your career goals, you may want to add a
few elective courses, an academic minor or even a second major, plus an internship or two. After graduation, you can leverage your knowledge and
internship experience into your first job.
These are just some of the common career paths for communication majors. Which will you choose?
Academic path
Career path
Major in communication
minor in graphic design
Digital media specialist
Major in communication
minor in peace and justice studies
Community activist/advocate
Major in communication
minor in business
Corporate communications or public relations director
Major in communication
minor in writing
Journalist or editor
Major in communication
minor in pastoral leadership
Church or non-profit communication manager
What is the number one skill
most important to employers?
Verbal communication.
In its Job Outlook 2016 annual report, the
National Association of Colleges and Employers
(NACE) surveyed more than 200 large national
employers, like IBM and Chevron. Here is what
they found.
Top 10 skills/qualities important for job candidates:
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Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization
Ability to work in a team structure
Ability to make decisions and solve problems
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work
Ability to obtain and process information
Ability to analyze quantitative data
Technical knowledge related to the job
Proficiency with computer software programs
Ability to create and/or edit written reports
Ability to sell or influence others
Choose a degree offering maximum career flexibility and opportunity.
When you graduate from our communication program, you will have a flexible bachelor’s degree that qualifies you for a range of career options in every
major employment sector, including business, industry, health care, technology, education, and social services. You can pursue employment opportunities in
public, private, nonprofit, and other settings.
Marian University communication graduates work as:
They hold a range of job titles, including:
• Community activists who raise awareness about social justice issues.
• Corporate communicators who develop targeted internal and external
communications for specific audiences.
• Public affairs, government, and political communication professionals
who educate, inform, and serve the public good.
• Health care communicators who create messages, materials, and public
information campaigns to promote personal health and wellness.
• Social media managers who use the latest apps, tools, and
technologies to share information and engage customers through
words and images.
• Sports information, public relations, and marketing professionals who
promote amateur, collegiate, and professional sports teams
and events.
• Sales and marketing professionals who oversee advertising and
promotional campaigns to build brands, launch new products and
services, and generate new business development.
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Assistant director of digital communications
Director of digital growth, engagement, and strategy
Sports marketing coordinator
Director of community outreach
Public relations director
Writer/editor
Executive director of nonprofit
Medical communications specialist
Child welfare advocate
Campaign director
Events and program coordinator
Regional sales manager
Associate director of alumni relations
Human resources recruiter
Web developer
Social media manager
You will also be well-prepared for graduate or professional school. Marian University communication graduates have earned advanced degrees in fields
including law, education, library science, business, and rhetorical studies.
The Wall Street Journal reported
in 2016 that 58 percent of job
seekers whose resumes reflected
communication skills and experience
were hired over the course of one year
compared to those candidates who
lacked communication training.
“Marian University has forced me to expand my horizons.
Thanks to Marian University’s culture and emphasis
on community, I’ve grown as a person. The liberal arts
foundation I’m getting as a communication major is opening
multiple career paths to explore.”
Luke McQuillen | CLASS OF 2017
Bachelor of Arts in Communication degree with a minor in business.
Member, Marian University speech team. Consultant in the Speaking Center.
Senate president, Student Government Association (SGA).
Recipient, SGA Award.
www.marian.edu
MARIAN UNIVERSITY
Indianapolis
®
Office of Admission
3200 Cold Spring Road
Indianapolis, IN 46222-1997
NON PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
PERMIT NO. 3127
www.marian.edu
[email protected]
317.955.6300
Marian University does not discriminate on
the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, creed, national
origin, age, or disabilities in the recruiting
and selection of students for admission.
Marian University is sponsored by the
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.
DEC. 2016
Here’s why you should choose Marian University:
As the only Catholic university in Indianapolis, our Franciscan heritage has
helped us expand minds and hearts for 80 years.
• Marian University is among 2016’s top 10 Indiana private colleges in
rankings compiled by the Wall Street Journal.
• We also advanced to the “Best Regional Universities” category in
U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 list of the top American colleges.
• Of Indiana college students, Marian University students rank third for the
lowest student loan debt, ahead of those from 37 other universities.
• With more than 3,000 students, campus life includes nationally ranked
athletic programs, dozens of student clubs and campus organizations,
study-abroad opportunities, service-learning opportunities, and more.
See for yourself what we have to offer!
Visit our peaceful, wooded campus that’s conveniently located just minutes
from the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Experience a warm, friendly campus
grounded by our Catholic faith and Franciscan values.
To schedule a campus visit, contact our Office of Admission at
[email protected], 317.955.6516, or 800.772.7264.
Learn more about earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication
degree at Marian University by contacting Dr. George LaMaster at
[email protected] or 317.955.6215.
Michael Baumann, M.A.
A proud graduate of Marian University,
Baumann teaches courses in writing
and new media. He also coaches the
speech team.
R. Kyle Kellam, Ph.D.
With career experience in corporate
communication, Kellam teaches courses
in rhetorical studies and directs the
university’s Speech Team.
The Rev. George LaMaster, Ph.D.
A former speech and debate coach
who is also a Presbyterian minister,
LaMaster serves as chair of the
Department of Communication.
Anna Zimmerman, Ph.D.
A scholar of public discourse,
Zimmerman directs the Speaking
Center and teaches courses in
strategic communication.